Sunday, August 31, 2008

By the time this posts, I should be walking to the starting gate for the Disneyland Half Marathon. I am going for it again, hoping to beat my time from last year...and also hoping that the temperatures are much cooler as well. Today’s photo is from the 50’s (most likely 1956/57), with a nice overhead shot of Tomorrowland. This is probably taken before Cox Pilot began work at the Flight Circle, but nevertheless, I am including a closeup shot of that area.

This view shows us the large promo “book” for the Skyway:

Hope you are all enjoying the Labor Day weekend; I know I am looking forward to some Plaza Inn Fried Chicken after my race! See more vintage & current Tomorrowland photos at my regular website. “Nightmare Before Christmas” fans—this Tim Burton classic is now available on Blu-ray, and also features a way cool tour of the Haunted Mansion (NBC version). Available at Amazon.com.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Two undated slides here from the same batch showing the Frontierland Depot. Today, the water tower is on the other side of the tracks and no longer bears the Santa Fe emblem. The C.K. Holliday is featured in both views.

Jumping forward from the 50’s to May 1974, we have this shot of the trestle that runs over Bear Country:

Meanwhile, over at Knotts, our October 1970 photographer took these shots for us to savor:

A nice Boiler Plate closeup:

And what’s Labor Day without a little Monkey action? But like the sign says, no teasing!

See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website. “Nightmare Before Christmas” fans—this Tim Burton classic is now available on Blu-ray, and also features a way cool tour of the Haunted Mansion (NBC version). Available at Amazon.com.

Friday, August 29, 2008

This one day series takes us back to September 1961, before the 60’s got mod and the guests at the park still looked like they belonged in the 50’s. The first three shots are all from the Autopia area; after looking at shot #3, I know why this Dwarf became Grumpy!

It’s blurry, but I do love seeing shots of the not-so-often photographed Yellow Monorail, especially with the cool bubble viewing area featured!

Back when it had holes in it for the Skyway, the Matterhorn served as the transitional bridge between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

This little girl is ready for her Teacup ride!

This little boy is determined to get every little kernel of popcorn out of that box...or else he’s looking for a hidden toy surprise (wrong snack, kid!)

See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website. “Nightmare Before Christmas” fans—this Tim Burton classic is now available on Blu-ray, and also features a way cool tour of the Haunted Mansion (NBC version). Available at Amazon.com.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

It’s a new decade at the park, and the Devlins are back on December 5, 1970. Even if this photo wasn’t date stamped, by the young girl’s outfit you’d know it was the 70’s! Souvenir photo holder stamp also included:

1971 is the last one in the series, in front of the Castle area again, with only 3 family members in attendance:

I can’t thank the Devlins enough for allowing me to post this through-the-years snapshot of a family over a 10 year period. See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website. “Nightmare Before Christmas” fans—this Tim Burton classic is now available on Blu-ray, and also features a way cool tour of the Haunted Mansion (NBC version). Available at Amazon.com.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Today’s Devlin post will finish out the 1960’s. First up is from June 5, 1966, with the recently opened small world attraction featured in the background. Tom’s Guest Pass and souvenir photo holder logo from that day are shown here:

The June 4, 1967 photo is at the yet-to-be-opened Haunted Mansion:

June 2, 1968 boasts a wonderful “new” Tomorrowland in the background:

The souvenir photo holder from that day:

June 1, 1969 brings us back to in front of the Castle:

Tom’s Guest Pass has been saved through all these years:

Last one for today shows the art for the 1969 souvenir photo holder:

MANY thanks again to the Devlins for allowing these photos to be posted. See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website. “Nightmare Before Christmas” fans—this Tim Burton classic is now available on Blu-ray, and also features a way cool tour of the Haunted Mansion (NBC version). Available at Amazon.com.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Once again, the Devlin Family has kindly allowed me to post these fantastic images from their annual trek to the park for Magic Kingdom Day. The first photo is from September 23, 1961. This series is a great shot of the growth of a family, and the changes that occur over the years. As Tom remembers, “Starting with the drive up from San Diego we all remember being on the lookout for the first glimpse of the Matterhorn from the freeway. Our parents’ biggest chore was keeping six excited children together long enough to have the MKC photo taken. The coolest part about the MKC visits was that we got a name tag and wrist band that gave us unlimited use of all the rides. None of that trying to figure out how to get more E-tickets. And that was well before the whole park went to passports.” Shot #2 is from September 22, 1962, at the Babes in Toyland exhibit inside the Opera House.

Same setting, one year later in 1963:

Anyone able to guess the location of this 1964 shot?

1965 was an exciting year; the park was celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary, and everything was appropriately marked with the Tencennial Logo.

MANY thanks to the Devlins for allowing these photos to be posted. See more vintage & current Disneyland photos at my regular website. “Nightmare Before Christmas” fans—this Tim Burton classic is now available on Blu-ray, and also features a way cool tour of the Haunted Mansion (NBC version). Available at Amazon.com.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Put your earplugs in folks and pray that the “beloved” Sherman Brothers tune won’t invade your brain today (it has a habit of sticking like glue!). This is a 100% small world post today, with a tiny bonus thrown in for good measure. Our October 1970 photographer must have loved the exterior (and I am right there with him, as I truly do love the all-white exterior with touches of gold).

Here are two shots from the same batch taken at Knotts Berry Farm to tide you over until a new series starts tomorrow:

See more vintage & current Small World photos at my regular website. “Nightmare Before Christmas” fans—this Tim Burton classic is now available on Blu-ray, and also features a way cool tour of the Haunted Mansion (NBC version). Available at Amazon.com.

About Me

Photographer/artist for hire and pop culture junkie. My art has been on “Larry King Live!”, book published, and gallery exhibited. I take a lot of photographs and spend way too much time at Disneyland.